Actor Wentworth Miller comes out as gay in an open letter to the St. Petersburg Film Festival. / Jon Kopaloff, FilmMagic

by Trey Barrineau, USA TODAY

by Trey Barrineau, USA TODAY

Prison Break star Wentworth Miller has declined an invitation to the St. Petersburg International Film Festival, saying that as a gay man he disapproves of the Russian government's crackdown on homosexuals.

Miller had been invited to appear as a guest of honor at the festival. "As a gay man, I must decline," he said.

Wentworth's letter, which is posted on GLAAD's website, thanks festival organizers for an invitation but states "I am deeply troubled by the current attitude toward and treatment of gay men and women by the Russian government."

"Wentworth's bold show of support sends a powerful message to LGBT Russians, who are facing extreme violence and persecution: you are not alone," said a statement from GLAAD representative Wilson Cruz, who is also an actor (My So-Called Life).